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Former Brumbies and one-Test Wallaby back Mark Bartholomeusz has confirmed that he will return to Super Rugby in 2010 with the Emirates Western Force.
Having earned a single Test cap against Italy in 2002, Bartholomeusz will resurrect his Australian provincial career after signing off on a two-year deal with the WA side today.
The 32-year-old utility’s last domestic rugby experience involved a lap of honour around Canberra Stadium after his Brumbies side had crushed the Crusaders to win the 2004 Super 12 title.
That match was the last of his 68 Super Rugby appearances for the Brumbies, before heading overseas for two-year stints with English Premiership outfit Saracens (2004/05 & ‘05/06) and Irish Magners League club Ulster (2006/07 & ‘07/08).
Having also played a role as coaching advisor for the backs during his time at Ulster, the experienced campaigner then packed his bags for Italy to play the 2008/09 season with Petrarca Padova in the Italian Super 10 Championship.
Equally adept at fullback, flyhalf, inside centre and wing, Bartholomeusz brings the experience of over 170 first class matches to Perth and further strengthens the club at the inside backs positions following the recent acquisition of former Waratahs utility Sam Harris.
RugbyWA General Manager, Rugby, Mitch Hardy, said the veteran playmaker’s versatility makes him a key addition to the 2010 squad.
“Mark is an established player and proven performer in four different positions, which makes him a rare commodity in the modern game and obviously a strong addition to our squad,” said Hardy.
“His experience speaks for itself and the leadership he brings on board will certainly be an asset for us. He’s a seasoned professional and you’d expect a lot of his qualities to rub off on our younger squad members.”
The Emirates Western Force has also secured the signature of gifted Queensland teenager Stefano Hunt.
Hunt, cousin of NRL defector Karmichael Hunt, will join the club on a rookie contract for the 2010 season.
The seventeen-year-old flyhalf formed a talented mid-field pairing with Emirates Western Force and Wallabies star James O’Connor at renowned Queensland rugby nursery Nudgee College.
The former Reds Academy member also played in the 2008 Australian Schoolboys team alongside Force Academy scrumhalf Justin Turner.
2010 Emirates Western Force squad (as at 31 July 2009)
New squad members in bold
Backs (16): Mark Bartholomeusz, Ryan Cross, Nick Cummins, Sam Harris, Stefano Hunt, Dane Haylett-Petty, Mitchell Inman, James O’Connor*, Chris O’Young, Andre Pretorius, Haig Sare, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Mark Swanepoel, Josh Tatupu, Justin Turner (A).
Forwards (16): Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Nic Henderson, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock, Kieran Longbottom, Filipe Manu (A), Ben McCalman, Nathan Sharpe, Richard Stanford, Ryan Tyrrell (A), Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes.
* yet to sign
(A) senior academy member
FACT FILE
Mark Bartholomeusz
Position: Utility back
Physical: 177cm, 87kg
Age: 32 (Born 30/6/1977, Brisbane, QLD)
Super Caps: 68
Super Points: 100 (20t)
Super Debut: 1998 v Sharks, Canberra
Test Caps: 1
Test Points: 0
Test Debut: 2002 v Italy, Genoa
Overseas match record: 48 matches for Saracens (2004-2006), 33 matches for Ulster (2006-2008), 18 matches for Petrarca Padova (2008-09)
Representative Honours: Australian Sevens (2002), Wallabies (2002)
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